Family IDs bystander killed in crash that followed gunfight between SUVs in Minneapolis

KSTP

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A woman is dead and four others were hospitalized after police said a gunfight between people in two vehicles ended in a crash.

The crash happened late Wednesday near Target Field in Minneapolis.

Police said investigators are checking cameras and gathering evidence to see what led up to the crash.

"I heard two big crashes and when I went out to look, and all of a sudden a bunch of smoke coming from near the hotel, I looked outside and heard someone scream," witness Matt Amundson said.

Around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, Minneapolis police were called to Nicolett Avenue and East 18th Street after reports of multiple gunshots.

Autumn Merrick[Family]

Witnesses told police people in two vehicles were shooting at each other.

Moments later, those two SUVs crashed at the intersection of Fifth Street and Sixth Avenue North.

One of the vehicles left the road and hit a woman riding a scooter down the sidewalk.

She died at the scene. Her death was ruled as a homicide.

"I can’t believe it," the victim’s uncle, Miguel Maciel, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

Maciel identified his niece as 18-year-old Autumn Merrick.

"I’m hurt really bad in the heart to see a family gone again, I can’t believe it… I’m hurt bad, my family is hurt," he added.

"To the family and friends of this woman, our heart goes out to you," Officer Garrett Parten, with the Minneapolis Police Department, said. "The pain we feel is minimal compared to the pain you’re experiencing from the loss of this innocent woman."

All four men riding in the two SUVs were transported to the hospital in serious condition.

Police said a preliminary investigation shows those injuries were related to the accident, not from gunfire.

Investigators recovered guns from both vehicles.

This homicide marked the 74th in the city this year.